Late release, upright seam, heavy ball: Decoding Mohammed Shami’s sorcery

Mohammed Shami's skill set as a fast bowler was unrivaled, with his late release of the ball and upright seam position creating late swing that batters struggled to pick. Born in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, Shami's childhood coach, Badruddin Siddiqui, believed that his success stemmed from those malleable wrists, allowing for subtle changes at the point of release.

Shami was known for his ability to make the old ball skid low and bowl a heavy ball that reached the batter quickly, hitting with extra force despite his smooth, upright run-up. This 'heavy ball' became his signature delivery, as demonstrated during the 2018 Johannesburg Test where he took 5/28 and helped India win by 63 runs. Despite occasional inconsistencies, Shami's unpredictable nature and impact on matches made him invaluable, particularly under Virat Kohli's leadership.

Shami's mentorship of young players in the IPL was highly regarded, as evidenced by Uttar Pradesh pacer Ankit Rajput's appreciation of the finer aspects of his technique. At 36, Shami had a strong Ranji season with 14 wickets in his last three games, but the lack of international opportunities led to his retirement. Shami remains India's leading wicket-taker in the 50-over World Cups, showcasing his remarkable impact on the sport.